Head Of AML UAE, (UAE Nationals Preferred)

Citi; Dubai; On-site; AED 450,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

Citi is seeking an AML Compliance Officer in Dubai to lead multiple teams across locations, ensuring robust controls and governance. The role requires deep AML expertise, strategic direction, and clear communication with senior stakeholders to drive the compliance program.

The role involves designing and implementing controls, coordinating with Internal Audit and regulators, and developing talent while upholding Citi’s risk management standards.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills required to negotiate with senior stakeholders.
• Proven leadership and motivational skills with cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical thinking and risk focus across multiple domains.
• Significant AML regulations knowledge and controls design experience.
• Experience with internal/external control functions and regulators.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, deliver and maintain AML policies and practices.
• Coordinate with Internal Audit and Compliance to address issues.
• Lead and manage multiple teams across locations and budgets.
• Assess risk in business decisions, ensure regulatory compliance.
• Provide training and governance framework improvements.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Regulatory knowledge

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's/Master's degree

Job description

The AML Compliance Officer (AMLCO) manages multiple teams through other managers. In-depth understanding of how own sub-function contributes to achieving the objectives of the function. A good understanding of the industry, direct competitors' products and services, is also necessary in order to contribute to the commercial objectives of the business. Requires thorough understanding of strategic direction of the function within the relevant part of the business, combined with a solid conceptual/practical grounding in both the function and/or area of expertise and related subject areas. Excellent communication skills required in order to negotiate internally, often at a senior level. Some external communication/negotiation may be necessary. Responsible for executing functional strategy in area managed. Determines approach to implementing functional strategy. Accountable for end results, budgeting, planning, policy formulation and contribution to future strategy of the area(s). Impact reflects size of team managed, strategic influence on the business and interaction with other functions or businesses. Full management responsibility for multiple teams, including management of people, budget and planning, to include duties such as performance evaluation, compensation, hiring, disciplinary actions and terminations and budget approval. Shall be doing involved or responsible for diverse (cross-discipline) activities.

Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, deliver, and maintain best-in-class AML Compliance policies and practices; provide a mechanism for identifying key money laundering risks and how the mitigation of those risks would be monitored and measured through a robust control framework. Confirm that reviews are conducted consistently across each entity on a regular basis to validate that the controls identified are operating effectively.
• Develop and improve upon the Governance and Escalation framework to inform senior management in a timely manner of emerging issues for promptly action and correction.
• Establish a formal Feedback Channel with the Businesses, Internal Audit and Compliance Assurance to validate that root cause analysis is performed proactively and communicated to relevant stakeholders through the established channel. In addition, review, consolidate, address, and track to resolution significant issues identified through root cause analysis to senior management. Furthermore, validate that the feedback / root causes from various channels is consolidated and shared within Compliance to allow for enhancements to Policy/Standards and Learning & Development, as necessary.
• Continually review and monitor the results from Manager Control Assessments (MCAs) to determine if changes are required.
• Liaise with regulators externally and Citi Internal Audit and Compliance Assurance staff, as appropriate, including coordinating AML-related examinations, audit and reviews, document production, and issue responses - to confirm that there is consistency in responses and issues are communicated across regions, such that actions and conclusions are shared.
• Provide adequate training is provided to the Business lines and other AML Compliance employees, and, as needed, participate in the design and delivery of training as required, to inform employees of the objectives of the program.
• Lead and manage a diverse team of staff across multiple locations; invest in the development of all team members to facilitate consistent execution.
• Additional duties as assigned.
• Appropriately assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm's reputation and safeguarding Citigroup, its clients and assets, by driving compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, adhering to Policy, applying sound ethical judgment regarding personal behavior, conduct and business practices, and escalating, managing and reporting control issues with transparency, as well as effectively supervise the activity of others and create accountability with those who fail to maintain these standards.

Qualifications:

• 15+ years FinCrime experience, preferably UAE and/or Middle East region.
• AML certification
• Prior work experience in a financial institution with job specific work experience in AML
• Self-motivated and detail oriented
• Proactive leadership and motivational skills
• Consistently demonstrates clear and concise written and verbal communication skills
• Advanced presentation skills with the ability to articulate complex problems and solutions through concise and clear messaging Significant knowledge and expertise of AML regulations, risks and appropriate controls Experience in the design and implementation of AML programs Demonstrated ability to assess complex issues through root cause analysis and other analytical techniques; structure potential solutions; drive to resolution with senior stakeholders Ability to influence and lead people across cultures at a senior level using sound judgment and successful execution, understanding how to operate effectively across diverse businesses Experience with and previous exposure to internal or external control functions and regulators (incl. the US); particularly banking and AML regulators
• Level of comfort with creative tension across different lines of defense while maintaining professionalism and a shared goal of increased quality levels across the program
• Proven ability to effectively assessing and managing competing priorities Experience managing diverse teams, and comfort navigating complex, highly-matrixed organizations Knowledge of the laws applicable to money laundering, including the Bank Secrecy Act, The USA PATRIOT Act, US Treasury AML guidelines, OFAC requirements, and Suspicious Activity Reporting requirements

Education:

• Bachelor's/University degree, Master's degree preferred

Job Family Group:

Compliance

Job Family:

AML Core

Time Type:

Full time

Most Relevant Skills

• Analytical Thinking
• Business Acumen
• Credible Challenge
• Digital Skills (Including AI)
• Laws and Regulations
• Process Execution
• Program Management
• Referral and Escalation
• Risk Controls and Monitors
• Risk Identification and Assessment

Other Relevant Skills

For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Citi is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our search tools and/or apply for a career opportunity review Accessibility at Citi.

View Citi’s EEO Policy Statement and the Know Your Rights poster.